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According to a statistic I pulled off some random website, 75 million women are in perimenopause, menopause, or post-menopause right now in the U.S. — with 6,000 more women reaching menopause each day. That being said, what part of the pause are you on? If life has taught me anything over th…

The morning view from the back deck of my bed and breakfast was breathtaking. I was thoroughly mesmerized by the grandeur of Pikes Peak. Puffy clouds hovered below the pinnacle of the mountain where snow was still present along its sides, in June. The foremost landmark of Colorado is Pike’s …

Do you know that feeling of writing (or typing) a little notation on a calendar indicating that the date is reserved for an event? Not a doctor’s appointment, work meeting, or reminder to give the cat her monthly joint medicine. Nope. This is something you look forward to. From that day forw…

My heart skips a small beat with the Amazon driver comes up our driveway. Not because he is bringing me a delivery, but because he is bringing me a delivery … yet again … today! And my Husband is home!

The photograph was riveting. The World War II amphibious assault vehicle was filled to capacity with young soldiers in route to Omaha Beach’s Green sector. The troops were the spearhead of a massive Allied invasion aimed at breaking Hitler’s Atlantic Wall. D-Day had arrived. It was time to e…

I love my kids. To me, they are the most amazing human beings. Sure, they can be annoying at times, but overall, they are great. However, I’ve noticed something since they’ve reached adulthood. The worry doesn’t stop. Like ever. Potty training, benchmark tests, driving, dating, ACTs and SATs…

Our son recently had his wisdom teeth taken out. He is the last of our three children to go through this procedure. A procedure that my husband and I both had done in our late teens, as well.

I visited the old home place over the weekend. Located at the end of McCall Lane in the Watervale Community, it was originally part of the Burr Manning farm. Burr Manning willed the 67 acres to my paternal grandmother, Amy Manning. Eventually, my father purchased the farm from his mother, my…

I visited the old home place over the weekend. Located at the end of McCall Lane in the Watervale Community, it was originally part of the Burr Manning farm. Burr Manning willed the 67 acres to my paternal grandmother, Amy Manning. Eventually, my father purchased the farm from his mother, my…

It had become a family ritual. The Sunday afternoon drive throughout the county was carefully planned during the week and was always eagerly anticipated. The route was always different. Before Global Positioning Systems and websites, my parents were reliant upon a thick phonebook that contai…

It had become a family ritual. The Sunday afternoon drive throughout the county was carefully planned during the week and was always eagerly anticipated. The route was always different. Before Global Positioning Systems and websites, my parents were reliant upon a thick phonebook that contai…

I’m a sucker for anything holistic.

The early morning summer sun radiated brightly across the countryside. Birds were heard in the distance singing melodic overtures. The ambiance of nature’s majesty filled your senses, awakening you to a new day of opportunity and happiness. On this picture-perfect day, the family had planned…

It seems like it happens at least once a year. In the middle of grocery shopping, I find myself in the greeting card isle. On most “food storeâ€� trips, while passing this section I’ll do a quick mental check list of all birthdays, anniversaries, christenings, and graduations, to make sure I d…

A few years back Kathy and I were in San Antonio, Texas where I was speaking at a conference. While there, it was recommended to us that we take in the Alamo Creek General Store and Café in Fredericksburg, Texas. Since Fredericksburg was only 50 miles north, we decided to drive up and have a…

The photograph extracted the moment in hues of black and gray. A dozen men had paused from their labor long enough to face the photographer and concede to their image being imprinted in history. Without a second thought, a pose was struck, and that moment was forever frozen in time. The hand…

I grew up near a country road. It was called the Old County House Road. Of the gravel variety, it looped from US Highway 70 back around to rejoin 70 again. We knew every family who lived on that road. Sometimes, as early as my 5th year, my mother would send me walking on an errand to Dewey M…

Frustrated, Insecure, Neurotic, Exhausted. I’m FINE

The weeds stood tall on the property once well maintained by past generations of family members.

I sometimes marvel at how our five senses of sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch allow us as human beings to so fully experience this adventure called life.

Cooking has never been my thing. But seeing I had three children to raise and they’d all claim they were hungry at least three times a day, I grudgingly became a chef.

Carry on…

Oh, the glory of springtime when the earth yawns and wakes from winter’s sleep. Buttercups, the greening of the grass, returning birds, and budding trees announce Mother Nature’s coming out party.

An ode to the weary is delineated throughout the 66 books of the sacred text.

I make the best mashed potatoes. No, seriously, they are better than any mashed potatoes you’ve ever had. Better than even your Mama’s!